Moldova has very good climatic and soil conditions for walnuts growth. However, during the Soviet period, this product was not officially recognized as a commercial harvest and its production was sporadic, being organized around villages and roadsides. Walnut sector went through a fast growth, from a non-existent segment in the early 90s to one of the major export sectors in 2008.

 

Several factors have contributed to this impressive development:

 the presence on an affordable workforce for manual walnut kernel removal which considerably increases the product value,

 preferential access to the EU market with duty free facilities and

 exporters who rapidly organized the processing activities in line with international standards of quality and safety.

Walnuts, one of the oldest tree species has a significant economic and social importance because of its food value of fruit, high quality wood, harnessing all the structures of the tree (leaves, barks, shells, shoots, kernels) as a source of raw material for the chemical, pharmaceutical, food, and as decorative species.

Walnuts are considered to be a complete and concentrate food aliment because of the fat content (52-77%), protein substances (12-25%), carbohydrates (5-24%), minerals (1.3 to 2, 5%), provitamin A, vitamins B [B1, B2, Biotin, Choline], vitamins C, E, F, P, Copper and Zinc. Walnut kernel energy value is 560-875kcal/100g